Pocket-clasp.



Patented Mar. 4, |902.

J. A. SKAER.

POCKET CLASP.

(Application led Oct. 29, 1901.)

(no Mmm.)

7W m a rug Nanms vmns co.. Psormmma. WASHINGTON. n. c.

Y A Y g f- UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A.A SKAER, OF AUGUSTA, KANSAS.

POCKET-CLAS P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.` 694,498, dated March4, 1902. Application led October 29, 1901. Serial No. 80,385. (Nomodel.) l

To all whom, it lmay concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. SKAER, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Augusta, in the county of Butler and State of Kansas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements-in Pocket-Clasps; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and ex.- act description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichitappertains to` make and use the same. v

The invention relates to pocket-clasps, a device intended to be attachedto garments-for instance, a vest-pocket.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich shall be simple of construction, durable in use,comparativelyinexpensive of production, and by the employment of which articlesplaced below the clasp will be prevented from being snrrepti.- tiouslyremoved and articles placed between the jaws of the clasp will besecurely held against accidental displacement and be prevented frombeing lost. y

vWith this and other objects in view the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, combination, andv arrangement of parts,which will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointedout in the appended claims. Y

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a fragment of a vest,illustrating the application-of my invention to the pocket thereof. Fig.2 is a perspective View of the clasp removed. Fig. 3 is an end View; andFig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through Fig. 1, illustrating apencil secured between the outer clamping-jaw of the clasp and theconnecting-band and a note-book secured between the inner jaw of theclasp and the elastic connecting-band.

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes the.

vertical side pieces of the clasp; 2, the outer jaws, connected to theupper ends of the side pieces and consisting of downwardly and inwardlyprojecting portions 3 and a connecting horizontal portion 4, and 5 theinner jaw, which consists of the verticallyextending portions 6,projecting upwardly from the` lower ends of the side pieces andlsubstan` tially parallel therewith, one vertical portion terminating inan eye and the other in a horizontally-extending-pin to engage said eye.

The frame composing the parts described is preferably made out of asingle piece of springwire, although any other suitable material may beemployed. The upper ends of the side pieces are connected by an elasticband 8, which is located between the cross-pieces of said jaws.

' In attaching the device to a garment the verticalside pieces of theframe are inserted into the pocket, as shown in Figs. l and 4, and thepointed cross-piece or pin of the inner jaw inserted through the back ofthe pocket and thence brought through the back of the pocket and engagedwith the eye. lVhcn thus secured, it will be observed that the outer jawclamps the outer side of the pocket, and thus prevents the pocket-claspfrom being pulled upwardly out of the pocket in the act of removingarticles retained by said clasp. Owing to the inner inclination of Vtheside pieces of the outer clasp the crosspiece of said clasp is broughtnearer to the side pieces of the frame, thus permitting small articles,such as lead-pencils, being retained in position between the outer sideot' the pocket and the cross-piece of the clasp bearing thereagainst andthe elastic band. The distance between the elastic band and side piecesof the frame and the cross-piece of the rear clamping-jaw is greater,and thereby permits larger articles being clamped between theelasticband and said cross-piece of the rear jaw. Any articles placed below thecross-piece of either jaw are securely retained in the pocket, for thereason that the pocket is closed by the clasp at a point above saidarticles, thus making it difficult, if not impossible, for a pickpocketto rob a person.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings,

the construction, mode of operation, and advantages of my invention willbe readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and details of construction maybe made with in the scope of the invention without departing fromthespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patl band connecting the two side pieces, substanent, is-

A pocket-clasp consisting of two verticallytially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set disposed parallel side piecesterminating at my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 5 their upperends in downwardly-projecting nesses.

arms connected by an integral cross-piece and terminating at their lowerends in upwardlyprojecting arms, one of which is provided with ahorizontally-extending jaw detachably ro connected with the other arm,and an elastic JAMES A. SKAER.

Witnesses:

C. F. PRIMM, THOS. BOWMAN.

